Mangaluru: Even as the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change has notified the e-Waste Management Rules 2016, which will be in force from October 1, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) on Friday opened its first e-waste collection centre at its premises in Lalbagh in the city.
District in-charge and minister for forest, environment and ecology B Ramanath Rai opened the e-waste collection centre at MCC.
He also inaugurated a workshop to create awareness on e-waste management for stakeholders including manufacturers and dealers of electronic goods, at the city corporation. The city corporation will soon place an e-waste collection unit at City Centre Mall premises and another in Surathkal.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) additional director S Suresh said that 10 states including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu produce 70% of the total waste generated in the nation.
"The new rules make it mandatory for all stakeholders including industries that manufacture electronic goods to take necessary steps for the scientific disposal of e-waste," he added.
Regional environment officer RajshekharPuranik said revolution in communication sector and increase in sale of electronic gadgets have led to a considerable upsurge in generation of e-waste.
Elaborating on the hazardous sides of e-waste, Puranik said the printed circuit boards (PCB) in all electronic gadgets pose threat to environment and it is considered toxic waste.
"In addition, mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel and other metals used in electronic gadgets too are hazardous wastes that pollute environment. Hence, e-waste should be disposed scientifically to avoid possible hazards," he added.
Minister Rai said more emphasis needs to be given for recycling of waste. "We need to protect the earth from global warming. Dwindling forest cover has already contributed to low rainfall. Hence we need to give more emphasis on protection of our environment," he said.
MLC Ivan D'Souza pointed out that the government will have to go for cloud seeding if state does not receive sufficient rains.
However, cloud seeding is expensive and may cost nearly Rs 90 crore to implement it in one district alone, he added.
Mangaluru City North MLA B AMohiuddinBava, Mayor K Harinath and MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazeer were present.
Minister's late arrival delays programme
A workshop on e-waste management organized for stakeholders including industries and sellers of electronic gadgets was scheduled to start at 10am at Mangala Auditorium of MCC.
However, the minister arrived at the venue at 11.20am making nearly 200 participants, officials and journalists wait for over an hour.
